Types of Skin Blemishes and their Treatments
The term “skin blemishes” includes a wide range of skin problems. Birthmarks, moles and skin tags, scars, and even patches of discolored skin are issues that fall under the category of skin blemishes. The appearance of each type of blemish differs depending on the severity of the condition and the person who has them. The most common type of blemish, however, is the pimple. We are going to go into a bit of detail about pimples and how to treat them, as well as treatment methods for other common blemishes such as warts and calluses.
A pimple is the result of a pore in the skin that has become blocked. The blockage can occur either through dead skin cells that are not cleared from the skin or from excess sebum oil can fall into the pore. In some cases, when the excess skin cells mix together with the sebum oil, it can clump to create an obstructive mass. The bacteria within the pores become trapped and multiply, which causes irritation and inflammation of the surrounding tissues. This often results in swelling and redness. Blackheads may also develop as a result of a widened pore that has become clogged with skin cells, bacteria, and sebum oil. This particular type of blemish has a characteristic black “head” at the opening of the pore and can be a little more difficult to clear up than the average pimple.
Dermatologists usually recommend starting with a good daily cleansing routine to help keep skin clear and supple. The first step in the routine should include cleansing with a gentle cleanser. Double-check the label to make sure that the cleanser doesn’t contain alcohol, as this is very harsh on the skin and can result in tightness or dryness. The next step is to apply a skin toner. There are many brands available, but if you would like a natural approach you can always use witch hazel. The third step is to apply a hydrating lotion. When the skin is cleansed it is stripped of dead skin cells and excess oil which is what helps prevent pimples from occurring; however the skin does require a certain amount of oil to remain hydrated and supple. Facial moisturizer helps to replenish the skin’s natural hydration and prevent flakiness and dry patches from developing.
Skin blemishes such as warts and calluses can be a little more difficult to treat. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus, of which there are over 100 variations of. Because a virus is the cause behind a wart, it can spread to other parts of the body. While warts can go away on their own, it can take months or years for it to completely dissolve. This isn’t good news for someone who has noticed a wart in a very obvious place (are you picturing Aunt Agatha with the wart on her nose?). Salicylic acid (like Compound W) can help clear up the wart but it can take a few weeks for particularly persistent warts. Some doctors prefer to “paint” the wart with a chemical called cantharidin. This produces a blister under the wart that pushes the virus up to the surface of the skin.
The doctor will remove the excess skin at the next appointment. Some doctors may also recommend freezing the wart off using liquid nitrogen. This is a pretty effective treatment but it may have to be performed a few times before the wart completely disappears. Other treatments such as laser removal, cutting and burning the wart off may also be performed, but these usually leave a scar and are not the most preferred method for facial warts.
As you can see, there are many different ways to treat various skin blemishes. It may take a few tries to find a treatment that works for you, but don’t give up—there is something for everyone out there!